To the Editor:

The 2021 General Election is almost upon us. The early voting period is Oc. 23-31 and Election Day is Nov. 2. Early voting will be in a new place this year: the Clarkson University Facilities Building at 42 Maple Street in Potsdam (the former Honda Dealership). Check the County Board of Elections website for early voting hours. Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 2.

For information about local candidates you can read NCN/NCTW and watch North Country Matters’ Conversations with Candidates on YouTube and https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountryMatters/?ref=page_internal

This year we invited the candidates for Family Court Judge and all 12 candidates for Canton Town Council and Potsdam Town Board. Both Judge candidates accepted our invitation, as did seven of the Town candidates. We thank them for participating in this grassroots voter education project!

Candidates for local offices aren’t the only thing on the ballot this year. There are five proposed amendments to the NYS Constitution for voters to consider as well. They will appear on the BACK of your ballot, so remember to turn it over!

Proposition 1 would amend the process for determining Congressional and State legislative districts; Proposition 2 would add the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment to the State Bill of Rights; Proposition 3 would eliminate the ten day advance voter registration requirement; Proposition 4 would authorize no-excuse absentee voting; and Proposition 5 would increase the jurisdiction of NYC Civil Court to decide claims for $50,000 or less. For detailed descriptions of the proposals, and the pros and cons for each one, you can go to the League of Women Voters’ voting website: www.Vote411.org .

For the LWVNYS positions on the Proposals see LWVSLC’s video on them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIYflH6IXf8

Finally, the League would like to recognize the donors who make it possible for us to supply the St. Lawrence County BOE with “I VOTED” stickers they give to voters. Thank you to Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation and Stewart’s Shops for their continuing support, as well as to Nature’s Storehouse, White's Flowers, Ye Olde Liquors, and individual League members and friends.

So, learn about the candidates, get informed about the ballot proposals, then VOTE and wear your “I VOTED” sticker with pride!

Kathleen Stein, League of Women
Voters of St. Lawrence County
Canton